F. van Wyck Mason: Three Harbours

Three Harbours by F van Wyck Mason was published by Berkley in September 1975 as part of its Bicentennial series. Rob Ashton was a Yankee skipper who was looking for wealth until the revolution began and he joined forces!

Allan Kass creates a dark cover with our privateer, his ship, and his love as he fights for freedom and a new country! Allan, as in all the books in this series, makes the hero prominent and the focus figure of his illustration. Definitely different than his later regency covers but I hope you enjoy seeing them.

F. van Wyck Mason: Stars on the Sea

Stars on the Sea is a historical novel by F van Wyck Mason which was published by Berkley in October 1975 as part of a Bicentennial series. Tim Bennett is fighting for his new country as they gain freedom from Britain.

Allan Kass creates a great collage cover here with our hero and heroine prominent and a background of ships at war. Definitely a Kass heroine there! Enjoy!

F. van Wyck Mason: Proud New Flags

This edition of F Van Wyck Mason's book, Proud New Flags, was a Berkley Bicentennial Edition published in December 1975. Sam Seymour is a naval officer during the time of the Civil War and in love with his brother's wife!

Allan Kass gives us a collage of scenes that depict this story. We see our hero, his love, the confederate flag, a ship, bombings, etc. Not my favorite style and since Kass didn't create many of these, probably imposed by the publisher. Still fun to see, though.

F. van Wyck Mason: Eagle in the Sky

Next is a series of 4 historical fiction books by F. van Wyck Mason. Definitely a different type of cover illustration for Allan Kass!

Eagle in the Sky was published by Berkley in November 1975. It is the third novel in van Wyck Mason's bicentennial series of the American Revolution. It's the story of doctor Peter Burnham and his life of a privateer!

Allan Kass shows our hero but has scenes from the story behind him. I think this cover is interesting because of the black slave. Kass didn't illustrate many black people on books and it makes this one unique! Unfortunately, this style of cover, which the publisher probably wanted, doesn't reflect Kass's talent as some others, less busy, do.

Jean Plaidy: The Spanish Bridegroom

Last in our Jean Plaidy historical series is The Spanish Bridegroom, published in August 1972. It is the story of Philip II of Spain and the loves of his life. Jean Plaidy went on to write many other historical books about the kings and queens of England, France, and Spain.

Allan Kass shows us a handsome man, dressed in armor, while the lady next to him is elegantly gowned and jeweled. We see a softer side of Philip while the fanatics behind him speak of a harsh and determined ruler.

Jean Plaidy: Murder Most Royal

Murder Most Royal was published in May 1973 by Berkley for Jean Plaidy and is the story of Henry the Eighth and Anne Boleyn and her cousin Catherine Howard, both wives of this king.

Allan Kass gives us a accurate portrait of Henry and also illustrates both women this book is about. I like the detail that he puts into their garments and jewels. Note the King's castle in the background.

Jean Plaidy: Gay Lord Robert

October 1972 is the publication date of Berkley's edition of Gay Lord Robert by famous historical author Jean Plaidy, whose real name was Eleanor Hibbert and who also wrote under the pen names Victoria Holt and Philippa Carr. This is the story of Robert Dudley and the Princess Elizabeth who were in love but her throne and his wife stood in their way.

Allan Kass gives us a glimpse of his ability in the next few books by showing us that he can illustrate a moment in history accurately. He gives us a scene with our hero and heroine but also shows a battle in the background. It's an intricately detailed cover.

Margaret Pemberton: Shadows over Silver Sands

Margaret Pemberton's Shadow over Silver Sands is a gothic romance published by Berkley in April 1976. Sally crosses the Atlantic after she hears about her friend's mysterious death. Who was responsible: handsome Pete Mackay or Jeff Roberts?

Allan Kass shows our couple near the ruins of an old church and cemetery. I like Allan's older contemporary covers because he creates clothing that would be worn nowadays. This couple could be on the cover of a book this year! While noting all of the gothic influences, I like that the hero is protecting the heroine and holding her in a close embrace!

Erika Nau: Angel in the Rigging

Erika Nau's Angel in the Rigging was published by Berkley in February 1976. Lucy is second in command of a pirate ship during the turbulent years before and after the War of 1812. She meets and eventually marries David Armstrong, the love of her life!

Allan Kass gives us a very compelling illustration of our lovely heroine watching a battle while hanging on to the rigging of the title. Even though this takes place during Regency times, she is anti regency in her dress and existence. I love the sweep of her long hair as she gazes fearlessly on the other ships and her earrings which are her only feminine adornment. Enjoy this unusual cover by Kass.

Jocelyn Kettle: Memorial to the Duchess

Memorial to the Duchess by Jocelyn Kettle was published by Berkley in March 1974. It is a historical novel about the life of Alice Chaucer, who became the Duchess of Suffolk during the days of Agincourt and through the reigns of Henry VI and Edward IV. She was second in rank under the queen!

Allan Kass, who is mentioned on the back cover as the author, shows us an early Elizabethan beauty along with her hero. We see them lavishly dressed in the heavy velvet cloth of the day and the heroine's headpiece is the most interesting feature of this cover. The hero looks like one of Elizabeth's courtiers and we see a distant castle which is their home.

Richard Hough: Captain Bligh and Mr. Christian, The Men and the Mutiny

March 1974 is the publication date of the Berkley paperback of Richard Hough's Captain Bligh and Mr. Christian. This is a story about Mutiny on the Bounty and according to the preface, "a reinterpretation of the major characters forces this stirring saga of the sea to take on new meaning."

What I find more interesting is that Allan Kass illustrated the cover!! What's unique is that there are no women on it. It's one of the few books that only features either men or women only. We see our sailors and feel the tension of what is happening with the older man's hands tied and the younger brandishing a sword. My only wish is that this could have been a larger picture! Enjoy!

Fiona Hill: The Wedding Portrait

The Wedding Portrait was published by Berkley in June 1975. Hill wrote a few other regency romances. Laura is about to be married and enjoying all of the festivities surrounding the event until Baron Lowland's son Ashley comes to paint her portrait and she wonders if marrying a man she's known forever is the right choice romantically!

Our hero is definitely dashing in this cover by Allan Kass! He paints the heroine in this scene and she is garbed in an elegant white gown with creamy accessories. I like seeing his painting equipment sitting on a nearby table. Allan always gets his details correct.

Fiona Hill: The Trellised Lane

The Trellised Lane was published by Berkley in April 1975. Julia was anxious to travel, so she coerced her brother Fitz to take her to London where she was to find adventure and love!

This cover by Allan Kass is interesting to me because it could almost be a modern day couple with a few tweaks of clothing and hairstyle. There is a 1960's feel to the colors and styles of the clothes or maybe it's the white picket fence that has the modern touch.

Fiona Hill: The Practical Heart

The Practical Heart was published by Berkley in August 1975. Gillian Spencer is a governess for the Viscount Sherbourne's two lovely daughters. As she teaches and guides them to become ready for their London season, she wonders if she's too old herself to marry?

Allan Kass shows our elegant couple standing in a pensive pose. Our heroine is dressed simply but her hair is braided prettily. She holds a rose to her face while the hero embraces her. His greatcoat is almost overwhelming on him and a focal point of the picture.

Fiona Hill: Love in a Major Key

Fiona Hill's Love in a Major Key is the first of four books illustrated for her by Allan Kass. This book was published by Berkley in January 1976. Daphne has left home for London and the season and the only man that she is attracted towards is a pianofortist!

Allan Kass creates a cover within a circle. We see a very elegant heroine with the hero behind her. She is the most striking element in the picture with her brunette hair and plain yellow gown but Allan adds other details that make you feel as if you've intruded into the room!

Georgette Heyer: Venetia

Venetia by Georgette Heyer is a Berkley publication dating September 1976. Venetia Layton's life has been quiet and secluded due to her stern father. The arrival of their nearest and most scandalous neighbor, Lord Dameral, brings excitement and romance to her world.

I like this cover by Allan Kass. We see the rakish Dameral worried about Venetia, who is elegant in her riding habit of gray. Unlike some of the Berkley covers, this one is pretty close to the characters in the novel.

Georgette Heyer: The Unknown Ajax

The Unknown Ajax by Georgette Heyer was published by Berkley in February 1974. Hugh Darracott emerges as the heir to Darracott Place and unknown to the family as his father was a black sheep! He realizes quickly that the family is planning on marrying him to his cousin Anthea in order to smarten him up and neither of them are excited about the prospect!

Allan Kass portrays our couple taking a break from their riding. They sit on a stone bench near a church and we see a fountain nearby. I like the heroine's severe riding dress and wonder which horse is hers! She and the hero seem to have come to an understanding.

Georgette Heyer: The Toll Gate

The Toll Gate by Georgette Heyer is a Berkley publication from June 1973. John Staple is a veteran of the wars and finds an adventure when he reaches a toll gate to discover that the keeper has disappeared. He stays to help his son only to find love with Nell Stornaway along with his adventure!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple in a vehicle which is appropriate since we read a lot about the toll road and gate in this novel. Our hero is well dressed in evening wear which is unlike most of the story and our heroine pretty in a light dress. I like that we see his concern about her evident problem.

Georgette Heyer: Sylvester

Sylvester, by Georgette Heyer, is another Berkley paperback published in November 1975. This is the story of the proud Duke of Salford and his mother's ward, Phoebe Marlow, who she wishes him to wed. Can two people who hate the idea of a arranged marriage change their minds, especially after the publication of a novel written by the heroine?

This is an interesting cover by Allan Kass. Again, it feels muted and I'm not sure if that's the printer's fault or just the way he designed this painting. Our couple stand in a sylvan glade and we see a swan swimming on the lake behind them. Our heroine is pretty in white and wears interesting green fingerless gloves which match her ribbon.

Georgette Heyer: Sprig Muslin

Sprig Muslin, by Georgette Heyer, was published in this edition by Berkley in November 1972 and is the story of Sir Gareth Ludlow, who has made up his mind to propose to Lady Hester Theale, but on the way to do so finds Amanda and has the devil of a time convincing everyone that he's not in love with this young runaway!

Allan Kass displays a tender scene from this novel where our heroine comes to care for the injured hero. We see them share an embrace while sitting in a window seat. There is almost a muted feel to this picture, as if we are to gaze from a distance.